"A lack of controlled tests could definitely put a kink in knowing that kind of thing, I suppose. Let me put it this way - how easy is it to tell?"

"Does it run in families?" puts in Soph.

"Definite yes on that one."

"That really depends on you," Neville tells Bella, shrugging.

"Depends on me doing what?"

"It's not just sprinkling herbs and saying the right words. Magic is - you have to figure out if you can access it, and how, and that might happen right away or it might take time."

"There is no do. There is only try."

"Well, this sounds potentially time-consuming, but I'm up for it. Where do I start?"

"Definitely not here, that's for sure. Way too conspicuous."

"Somebody's house? Dad works irregular but predictable-in-advance hours, I don't know what your situation is."

"Okay then. Tonight he's supposed to be gone until eight. I've got a car."

"You have most of a car," says Soph. "I'll get my full license soon though."

"5:00 curfew, remember? But we've got a couple hours, at least."

"We could head to The Magic Box first?"

"I bet I could get Dad to flex on our curfew if I demonstrated some magic... But yeah. Where's the Magic Box?"

"Haven't been here that long, spend most of my time inside, and last summer I didn't have the car," says Bella, starting to lead the way to the parking lot. "I've probably seen it, it just didn't stick."

"We can show you," Neville says. "Shall we?"

Neville gives her directions to the shop - it's only a few minutes drive from school.

Delilah is quiet and definitely not watching Soph out of the corner of her eye in the back seat.

Bella drives in the utterly lawful manner of someone whose dad will inevitably hear about it if she is pulled over.

Soph doesn't seem to notice Delilah's watching or pointed not-watching; she's just looking out the window.

And now they are in the parking lot and out of the car! Where will their fantastic adventure next lead?